Naggal dam breach causes flash flood

Akash Ghai
Tribune News Service
Mohali, August 18

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A major breach in Naggal earthen dam, located in the forest area opposite New Chandigarh, caused flash flood in the area, which resulted in washing away of at least 15 head of cattle, six houses and around four-five bridges at Chotti Naggal, Badi Naggal, Parol, Mirzapur and nearby villages.

The floodwater, which was said to be around 5 metre high, also flattened corn crop in a number of fields in the area.

The Tribune team, which visited at the spot, saw around 40-ft breach in the dam. Going by the claims of officials of the Soil Conservation Department, which built the dam around eight years ago, the dam reservoir was full of water. “The reservoir is spread over several hectares and the water level was nearly 17 metre high,” claimed officials.

Bhag Chand, former panch of Chhoti Naggal village, located nearby the dam, said the flood came around 8 am. "As our village is located on the foothills, it suffered maximum damage. Within minutes, the water flattened everything that came in its way. In all, 15 cattle of two families and two tractors were washed away," Chand added.

Mohali Deputy Commissioner Girish Dayalan, who visited the spot, said due to collapse of some bridges, some villages remained cut off from the district. “Officials have been deputed at such areas to extend a helping hand to the residents. Their loss is being assessed,” he added.